Itanagar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday retained power in Arunachal Pradesh for the third successive term by already exceeding the magic figure as counting of votes was underway for the April 19 Assembly elections held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.
The saffron party has already bagged 40 seats, including 10 uncontested, and is ahead in five others, according to the latest updates available with the Election Commission of India.
Prominent among the winners are BJP state chief Biyuram Wahge (Pakke-Kessang), Deputy Speaker Tesam Pongte from Changlang North, Health Minister Alo Libang (Tuting-Yingkiong), sitting Ministers Wangki Lowang (Namsang), Honchun Ngandam (Pongchau-Wakka), Nakap Nalo (Nacho), Ninong Ering (Pasighat West), Wanglin Lowangdong (Borduria-Bogapani), Gabriel Denwang Wangsu (Kanubari), Rode Bui (Dumporijo), Balo Raja (Palin), Chakat Aboh (Khonsa West), Tsering Lhamu (Lumla), Dr Mohesh Chai (Tezu), Pani Taram (Koloriang), Kardo Nyigyor (Likabali), and Hayeng Mangfi from Chayangtajo constituency.
The Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP) also opened its account winning three seats and is leading in two other seats. The winning candidates include Pesi Jilen, who secured Liromoba defeating BJP’s Nyamar Karbak with a margin of 1,698 votes, Namgey Tsering got Tawang seat trouncing BJP’s Tsering Dorjee by a margin of 996 votes, and Oni Panyang captured Mariyang-Geku defeating Olom Panyang of BJP by 673 votes.
People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) nominee Nabam Vivek got Doimukh, unseating BJP’s Tana Hali Tara with a margin of 2,530 votes, and Oken Tayeng secured Mebo routing BJP’s Lombo Tayeng by 1,017 votes.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s Toko Tatung emerged as a giant killer defeating his nearest rival, sitting BJP Minister Taba Tedir with a margin of 228 votes.
Independent nominees Wanglam Sawin and Laisam Simai, who were denied BJP tickets, emerged victors retaining their respective seats - Khonsa (East) and Nampong. Sawin retained the Khonsa (East) seat, defeating BJP's Kamrang Tesia with a margin of 2,216 votes, while Simai beat Izmir Tikhak of the Saffron brigade by a slender margin of 68 votes.
As per the trends available with the Election Commission of India, BJP has won 40 seats and is leading in five others, NPP and NCP in 2 each, and opposition Congress, which bagged four seats in previous election, is ahead in one seat.
The counting of votes commenced at 6 am. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the vote count process is peaceful and hassle-free, officials said.
Over 2,000 officials have been deployed for carrying out the vote counting process. Additionally, 27 counting observers have been deployed by the ECI to oversee the proceedings. Besides, 489 counting micro observers have been appointed for the purpose.
With 10 seats already bagged by the BJP, Arunachal Pradesh voted to elect 50 MLAs of the 60-member Assembly, registering an 83 per cent voter turnout.
Altogether 133 candidates were in the fray for the 50 Assembly seats.
In the 2019 Assembly polls, the Saffron party secured an absolute majority winning 41 seats, and formed the first elected BJP government under the Chief Ministership of Pema Khandu.
The Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), which did not field any candidate this time around, emerged second largest party by bagging seven seats, followed by NPP in five, and Congress in four seats. The state’s regional outfit PPA managed to win one seat. Two Independent candidates had also emerged victorious.
Senior BJP leader and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who won his traditional Mukto seat without any contest, has earlier suggested political parties accept the impending verdict with humility.
“Our commitment to democracy is non-negotiable, and it is essential for everyone to accept the verdict with humility,” Khandu posted on X.
“The people of our state are eager to see the pace of all-round development continue,” he said.
